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NATION: Army has done its best to
- Subject: NATION: Army has done its best to
- From: suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 09 Apr 1998 17:18:00
Mailbag
Army has done its best to
stop border raids
In reference to the article ''Awkward
questions on the Thai-Burmese border''
(The Nation, April 5), the Royal Thai Army
would like to clarify certain points raised by
the writer which could cause
misunderstanding among members of the
public.
In the article, writer Thana Poopat
suggested that the Thai military knew what
was going on along the Thai-Burmese
border but had failed to prevent cross
border incursions by the Democratic Karen
Buddhist Army troops. One of the questions
raised in the article was whether the Thai
Army has the will or determination to stop
the cross-border raids on Karen refugee
camps on Thai territory.
The army insists that it has consistently
performed its duty to the best of its ability to
protect Thailand's sovereignty and has
taken steps to prevent future incursions.
Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai in his
capacity as defence minister, the supreme
commander as well as the army
commander-in-chief, has on several
occasions made public statements on the
national defence policy, particularly the
border incursions.
The army appreciates press commentaries
on the border situation, including The
Nation's article. In handling border
incidences, which are sensitive matters that
could have great implications on relations
between Thailand and neighbouring
countries, the army's actions may, at times,
appear to be reacting too slowly to the
problem in today's world characterised by
the free flow of information.
The army insists that all army officers and
troops are fully committed to protecting the
country's sovereignty under the motto: ''The
nation, the religion, the monarchy and the
people, above all else''.
Maj Gen Pongthep Thetprateep
Secretary of the Royal Thai Army
Bangkok